President Jokowi: Infrastructure Development Unite Indonesia

INDUSTRY.co.id - Manado - President Joko Widodo said infrastructure development continues to be boosted by the current government in order to unite Indonesia.

"Why do we build a massive infrastructure, that's because we want this budget to focus, work on one, but focus, for what? Not because of economic problems, the mobility of goods and people, but with infrastructure will unite us Indonesia," speech at the opening of the XX Congress of the Indonesian National Student Movement (GMNI) in Manado on Wednesday (15/11/2017)

The President said that in Wamena, Papua Province, an airport has been built, then in Rembele, Aceh, has also built similar infrastructure.

"People from Wamena or Aceh can fly in. This is what will unite us, without good infrastructure, how can we bring together 714 tribes in our country, not there," he said.

The President said, previously development was always in Java, but now it is done outside Java.

"In order to have equity, there is justice from Sabang to Merauke, how is the infrastructure in Papua compared to the middle and the west, very jomplang," he said.

The President explained that the development of the Papua trance should be built.

"I wonder if the development of Trans Papua will increase economic growth, I say whether we are waiting for economic growth in Papua to build its way, or we build new road of economic growth there," he said.

This, continued the president is like chicken and egg, which if not decided will not be done. It's a matter of equity, justice, "he said.

The President said he was surprised when he first visited Wamena and asked the public the price of gasoline per liter.

"The answer is Rp 60 Thousand-Rp100 thousand per litre, while in Java Rp6.450 per liter, where social justice for all people of Indonesia if this is continued," he said again.

In Java, he said, only Rp500 has been a demo for four months, while in Wamena, Puncak Jaya, central mountains, at a price of Rp65 thousand-Rp100 thousand did not do the demo.

"I'm sorry to see that, I have to buy a special fuel oil transport aircraft to the districts in the central mountains," he said.

The President said that the government subsidy reached Rp800 billion compared to the previous year's subsidy of Rp300 trillion.

President asserted, infrastructure development throughout Indonesia is absolutely necessary if you want to compete with other countries.

"There may be pain, feel bitter, but see if ports, toll roads, airports, electricity are very fundamental to an economic movement, strengthening us to compete in this era of competition," he said.

Construction of Sumatera and Samarinda roads, Manado-Bitung toll road, Wamena airport and other places to improve competitiveness won competition with other countries.

"Do we want to treat the people with subsidized," he said.

With a fuel subsidy of Rp300 trillion over the years it can complete infrastructure development.

"What's going to keep going on, for me, we have to be brave to decide and start those choices. The cost of our logistics and transportation is twice to two and a half times compared to neighboring countries. Where can we compete with more expensive fees, "he said.